Special Education Department
Department Head: Mr. Glenn Moloney
743-5230 ext 176
The TAS Special Education department establishes programs for identified exceptional students. Such programs may be offered in a regular classroom, a resource room, or a special class. The Department also provides services for ‘at-risk’ students who have special needs but are not identified as ‘exceptional’. These services might include: counseling, reading, tutoring, alternatives to regular classroom placement, and individualized study.
The Special Education Department provides programs and services for not only identified students but also other students who attend TAS. The department provides academic support and resource support for students in subjects in which they experience difficulty, thus ensuring that students have the opportunity to be successful.
Programs Specific to Gifted Students
Gifted students have access to the Gifted/Independent Design Course and Grade 12 Gifted/Enriched Biology which provides them with an opportunity to explore areas of interest in greater depth than is possible within the confines of regular courses. As well, gifted students have access to enrichment activities such as: Queen’s Mini-Enrichment Courses, the Intellectual Olympics, and Academic Heptathalon, and the Model UN.
Remedial Programs
Remedial programs are available for identified students through the Personal Learning Centre. Requests for subject tutors can be made through the Guidance Department.
Host School Program
Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School has been designated by the Kawartha Pine Ridge School Board as one of several “Host Schools” to offer programming for students working significantly below grade level. Students from the Adam Scott, PCVS, and TAS school districts, who require special programming, attend TAS.
In grades 9 and 10, students concentrate on academic skills (English, Math, Science, History and Geography) in the morning. In the afternoon, students are involved in a variety of other programs such as Technological Studies. In grades 11 and 12, students are involved in a community service/workplace skills based experience.
In all cases, students are not expected to achieve the provincial curriculum outcomes. Programs are modified to meet specific students’ needs. At the end of grade 12, students will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment.
This program is designed to prepare students for the workplace rather than College or University.
LLS Classes
Thomas A. Stewart also offers programming for students through Learning and Life Skills. . Learning and Life Skills programs are intensive specialized programs provided by Special Education Teachers and Educational Assistants who are qualified in teaching students with a developmental disability. The program focuses on academic programming with an understanding of the need for life skills to be developed. These students are taught in separate classrooms within a regular school setting.
There are 4 LLS classes at TAS. Students are grouped in small classes based upon assessed intellectual and physical needs.